Anaemia, anthropometric status and associated factors among electronic waste recyclers, women and children residents of Agbogbloshie, Ghana

TL;DR

This study found high rates of anemia in women and children in Ghana's Agbogbloshie e-waste recycling community, linked to poor nutrition and socioeconomic factors.

Contribution

The study provides new data on anemia and anthropometric status in vulnerable groups exposed to e-waste pollution in Ghana.

Findings

Anemia was significantly more common in women (54.90%) than in male e-waste recyclers (9%).

Children aged 12–17 years had 45.56% prevalence of low hemoglobin levels.

Lower education and socioeconomic status were strongly associated with anemia.

Abstract

Anemia is a significant public health issue, particularly in communities exposed to environmental hazards and poor nutritional conditions. Limited data is available in Ghana regarding the health and nutritional status of vulnerable groups like women and children residing in polluted areas such as Agbogbloshie in Accra.

We assessed the prevalence of anemia and its association with sociodemographic and anthropometric factors among e-waste recyclers, women, and children living in Agbogbloshie, a community known for its e-waste recycling activities.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among male e-waste recyclers, women of reproductive age, and children aged 5–17 years at Agbogbloshie, Ghana in 2022. Data on sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measures were conducted, whilst onsite hemoglobin levels were measured using the HemoCue 301+ machine. Among children, the weight-for-age (WAZ) score and length-for-age (LAZ), BMI-for-age and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)-for-age scores were measured based on the WHO growth charts and the WHO anthropometry calculator. Linear regression models were used to identify sociodemographic factors, anthropometric measures and other factors associated with anemia.

Anemia was prevalent among women and children in this study. Furthermore, anemia prevalence was higher among female adults (54.90%) compared to the male recyclers (9%) [χ2 = 38.47, p < 0.001]. Some (45.56%) children between the ages of 12 to 17 years did not meet the recommended WHO reference for hemoglobin levels. Sociodemographic factors, such as lower educational level, gender, age and socioeconomic status were significantly associated with anemia. Higher BMI was positively associated with higher hemoglobin levels in e-waste recyclers (β = 0.098; 95% Cl: 0.004, 0.193; p = 0.04). However, we did not find an association between anthropometric measures (height-for-age, weight-for-age and BMI-for-age) and hemoglobin levels of children in this study (p > 0.05). Nonetheless, children who consumed food from less than five food groups had significant reduction in hemoglobin levels [β = −1.789; 95% Cl: −3.531, −0.047; p = 0.04].

Anemia remains a major public health concern in Agbogbloshie, with significant associations between anemia and sociodemographic factors and some anthropometric measures. The high prevalence of anemia in women and children highlights the need for targeted interventions addressing nutritional deficiencies, environmental exposures, and socioeconomic disparities.